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| Rytas Vilnius | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 2024–25 BC Rytas season | |||
 | |||
| Nickname | Black White Reds | ||
| Leagues | Lithuanian Basketball League Champions League | ||
| Founded | 1963 (asStatyba)‡[1] 1997 (as BC Lietuvos rytas) | ||
| History | Statyba 1963–1997 Statyba-Lietuvos rytas 1997–1998 Lietuvos rytas 1998–2018 Rytas 2018–present | ||
| Arena | Active Vilnius Arena (LKL) Twinsbet Arena (BCL) | ||
| Capacity | 10,000[2] (Twinsbet Arena) 2,741 (Active Vilnius Arena) | ||
| Location | Vilnius,Lithuania | ||
| Team colors | Black, white, red | ||
| Team manager | Mantvydas Dabašinskas | ||
| Head coach | Giedrius Žibėnas | ||
| Ownership | Darius Gudelis (main),Vilnius City Municipality,Perlas and Norvelita[3] | ||
| Affiliation(s) | Rytas-2 (NKL) Rytas MRU (RKL) | ||
| Championships | 2EuroCup 7LKL 3LKF Cup 2King Mindaugas Cup 1North European League 3Baltic Championships 1Baltic Presidents Cup 6Lithuanian SSR League 5 Lithuanian SSR "Sports" Cup 2 USSR A class League | ||
| Retired numbers | 2 (7)(13) | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Rytas Vilnius is a professionalbasketball club based inVilnius,Lithuania. They compete domestically in theLithuanian Basketball League and theKing Mindaugas Cup, while internationally in theFIBA Champions League since2020–21. Rytas have won twoEuroCup titles, sevenLithuanian League titles, fiveLKF / King Mindaugas Cups and threeBaltic championships. The team plays its domestic home games in theActive Vilnius Arena and they share theTwinsbet (ASG) Arena withBC Wolves for their European home games. The club was founded in 1997 from another club,BC Statyba.
Notable members of the club includeŠarūnas Marčiulionis,Šarūnas Jasikevičius,Ramūnas Šiškauskas,Arvydas Macijauskas,Jonas Valančiūnas,Martynas Gecevičius,Renaldas Seibutis,Simas Jasaitis,Robertas Javtokas,Darius Songaila,Marijonas Petravičius,Rimantas Kaukėnas,Rimas Kurtinaitis,Gintaras Einikis,Deividas Sirvydis,Rokas Giedraitis,Artūras Gudaitis,Ąžuolas Tubelis.
The team's farm clubRytas-2 is used for the development of young players and plays in the second-tierNKL.
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In 1963, the first basketball team from Vilnius, called Žalgiris, was formed. The following year it changed its name to Plastikas. In that same year, 1964, Plastikas players joined a new team, calledStatyba. This name was used for over 30 years.[4]
Jonas Kazlauskas,Rimas Girskis, and then-head coachRimantas Endrijaitis led Statyba to third place in the 1979Soviet Union Championship.[5] Three years later,Šarūnas Marčiulionis joined the team and became its leader. In 1987,Artūras Karnišovas joined the team at the age of 16. In 1994, Statyba won bronze medals in their firstLKL season.
In 1995,Lietuvos rytas began sponsoringSūduva Marijampolė, a basketball club fromMarijampolė, Lithuania. The partnership lasted for two seasons, during which the team was known as Lietuvos rytas Marijampolė and played in the second-tier Lithuanian league, theLKAL. A notable player for the team was teenagerDarius Songaila. However, after the 1996–97 season the partnership ended.[6]
At the same time, Statyba was faced with financial difficulties and was on the verge of bankruptcy. The team needed new investors and in 1997Lietuvos rytas bought the club. However, the new owners did not want to continue the team's history and renamed it Statyba-Lietuvos rytas, then just Lietuvos rytas. The newspaper's investment helped the club to establish itself as one of the two best in Lithuania, the other beingŽalgiris from the country's second-largest cityKaunas.
During its first season, BC Rytas won a bronze medal in theLKL. In the following season, Rytas won LKL silver, losing to reigningEuroLeague champions Žalgiris Kaunas. The team also took second place in 1997William Jones Cup.
In 2000,Ramūnas Šiškauskas,Andrius Giedraitis andEric Elliott, combined withArvydas Macijauskas andRobertas Javtokas, managed to win LKL. The team was coached byŠarūnas Sakalauskas. It was the first time in the history of the Lithuanian Basketball League that Žalgiris Kaunas did not win the LKL title. Also, Rytas reached theSaporta Cup semifinal, where they met last season's EuroLeague runner-upKinder. After a home win of 70–60, Lietuvos rytas lost in Italy 83–71, with Šiškauskas missing a three-pointer which would have won the two-game series for his team.
The next season, due to the split between theFIBA and ULEB, Rytas played in theFIBA SuproLeague, making it to the quarterfinals, but losing toAnadolu Efes S.K. The team won third place in theNEBL. In the LKL finals, Žalgiris Kaunas defeated Lietuvos rytas in a tough five-game series 3–2.
In 2002, Lietuvos rytas won the LKL again, this time in a seven-game final series with the last game decided in overtime. The team played without center Robertas Javtokas, who was seriously injured in a motorbike crash.[7] Lietuvos rytas also won the NEBL title in 2002, becoming the last team to win the tournament. The team held first place in the group stage of the Saporta Cup but lost in the quarterfinals toHapoel Jerusalem.
Over the next two seasons, Lietuvos rytas lost in the LKL finals to Žalgiris Kaunas. They had more success in Europe, though, finishing in second place in the FIBA Champions Cup regional stage (though losing toHemofarm Vršac in the final stage). The team also debuted in the ULEB Cup, getting to the quarterfinals but losing to Hapoel Jerusalem.
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After not winning any titles in the past two seasons, Lietuvos rytas recruitedVlade Đurović as a new coach. Midway through the season,Frederick House, the team leader, suffered a season-ending injury.[8] Đurović later resigned and was replaced byTomo Mahorič.Tyrone Nesby,Roberts Štelmahers and Robertas Javtokas,Simas Jasaitis andTomas Delininkaitis led the team to victory in the2005 ULEB Cup, beatingPamesa Valencia in the semifinals andMakedonikos in the final. This victory granted them a place in the EuroLeague, the continent's primary basketball club tournament. Lietuvos rytas won second place in both the LKL and BBL finals, losing toŽalgiris Kaunas.
Before the 2005–06 season,Neven Spahija became the head coach of the team. After losing their first two matches, Lietuvos rytas matched the EuroLeague record by winning seven consecutive EuroLeague fixtures, defeating asFC Barcelona, championsMaccabi Tel Aviv (twice) and Efes Pilsen Istanbul. Those wins allowed Rytas to advance to the Top 16 phase, where they won three times out of six, beatingTau Ceramica Vitoria once andBrose Baskets Bamberg twice. However, Lietuvos rytas was eliminated from that year's EuroLeague.
After winning the Baltic Basketball League title, Lietuvos rytas defeated Žalgiris Kaunas 4–0. Despite winning the Lithuanian title, Lietuvos rytas did not acquire the country's spot for2006–07 EuroLeague that was reserved for Žalgiris Kaunas.
Although the coach and three leading players Robertas Javtokas, Simas Jasaitis and Fred House had left the team during the interseason, the2006–07 ULEB Cup season was rather successful for Lietuvos rytas. Two coaches were replaced during the season:Sharon Drucker fromIsrael was replaced by SlovenianZmago Sagadin and the latter by his assistant coachAleksandar Trifunović fromSerbia.NBA playerKareem Rush arrived to lead the team to the ULEB Cup final whereReal Madrid defeated Lietuvos rytas. However, Real Madrid's victory at theACB semifinals, and of one of four spots reserved for Spain, allowed Lietuvos rytas to take part in the2007–08 EuroLeague as the ULEB Cup finalist. On 27 April 2007, Lietuvos rytas won their second consecutive BBL title; Kareem Rush was named the Final FourMVP. The LKL finals and LKF Cup finals were both unsuccessful, though, as Žalgiris Kaunas won both tournaments.
Lietuvos rytas had a successful season during 2007–08 EuroLeague, defeatingUnicaja Málaga andArmani Jeans Milano, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, the future EuroLeague finalist. Their 11–3 record was the team's best regular season performance ever, and the best by a Lithuanian team in Euroleague at the time. However, the team was not as successful in the Top 16 and with record of 2–4 did not advance to the playoffs. Lietuvos rytas were the runner-up in the Lithuanian Basketball League, the Baltic Basketball League and the Lithuanian Cup, losing each time to Žalgiris Kaunas.
During the 2008–09 season, Lietuvos rytas, affected by theworldwide financial crisis, had a significantly lower budget and put a greater emphasis on prospective local players.[9] Lietuvos rytas won the first Baltic Basketball Presidents Cup during this season. On 21 October 2008, Lietuvos rytas lost against the NBAGolden State Warriors atOracle Arena 126–106.[10] Head coachAntanas Sireika resigned and was replaced byRimas Kurtinaitis, a former Lietuvos rytas player, for the second half of the season. Rytas successfully advanced to the Final 8. Chuck Eidson was named the regular season MVP.
After victories againstBenetton Treviso and Hemofarm Vršac, Rytas was considered an underdog againstBC Khimki of Russia in the final. However, the performances ofSteponas Babrauskas andMarijonas Petravičius led the team to victory. Rytas became the first team to reclaim the EuroCup title; Marijonas Petravičius was selected the Final 8 MVP. Lietuvos rytas was also successful in matches against arch rival Žalgiris Kaunas. It won the 2009LKF Cup.[11] Lietuvois rytas also won theBaltic Basketball League final game over Žalgiris Kaunas, 97–74. Chuck Eidson scored 41 points, and he was the MVP for the season.[12] It was the third BBL title for the club. Lietuvos rytas also the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) during this season as well, the fourth time Lietuvos rytas became the LKL champion.
After losing Petravičius, Lukauskis and Eidson, Lietuvos rytas also participated in the2009 Gomelsky Cup. Lietuvos rytas was not as successful in the2009–10 EuroLeague—they did not advance to the Top 16. Lietuvos rytas won the LKL trophy, beating Žalgiris Kaunas 4–3. It was the second consecutive LKL title for the Vilnius team. After the conclusion of the season, head coachRimas Kurtinaitis left the club to be replaced byDražen Anzulović.
After an unsuccessful start of the2010–11 EuroLeague, Dražen Anzulović was replaced by the team's former coach Aleksandar Trifunović, thenŠarūnas Jasikevičius, and finally Simas Jasaitis. Rytas barely qualified for the Top 16 stage, and lost the LKF Cup final to Žalgiris Kaunas.[13] Playing in theGroup E in EuroLeague, Lietuvos rytas defeated Caja Laboral at home, Panathinaikos Athens and Unicaja Málaga on the road, finishing ninth, the highest achievement for the team in this tournament in club history.[14] However, Rytas lost in the semifinals at the Baltic Basketball League, toVEF Rīga and finished in third place for the first time in club history. Head coach Trifunović was fired and replaced by assistant coachDarius Maskoliūnas. The team's game improved, but Rytas still lost the LKL finals to Žalgiris.[15]
After dismissingMilko Bjelica,Kenan Bajramović,D. J. Strawberry,Cemal Nalga and losing team leaderMartynas Gecevičius, Lietuvos rytas replaced eight players. In EuroLeague's qualification tournament, which was organized inVilnius, Lietuvos rytas won their first two matches againstBudućnost Podgorica andCibona Zagreb, but lost the final game againstGalatasaray. As a result, Lietuvos rytas had to play at the second-tier European competition, EuroCup. The team, led byRenaldas Seibutis,Jonas Valančiūnas andTyrese Rice, lost to Valencia Basket 80–70 in the semifinals. Rytas finished third after a 71–62 win againstSpartak St. Petersburg.
The team finished third in the regular season round of theVTB United League. They defeatedNizhny Novgorod and unexpectedly Khimki, the reigning EuroCup and VTB League champions, eventually finishing in third place. Despite two third places in international competitions, Rytas lost the LKL final series to Žalgiris Kaunas, with Žalgiris winning 3–0. Following the conclusion of the season,Tyrese Rice,Lawrence Roberts,Aleksandar Rašić and Jonas Valančiūnas left the team.
Players likeNemanja Nedović were expected to be the future of the team. However, the season was not very successful. Rytas lost the Lithuanian Supercup to Žalgiris Kaunas. After struggling in the opening months, Lietuvos rytas fired coachAleksandar Džikić, promoting Darius Maskoliūnas as head coach. Though the game had improved, thanks toLeon Radošević, Renaldas Seibutis and Nemanja Nedović, the EuroLeague season was finished with a 2–8 record. The team did not fare much better in the VTB United League. After Leon Radošević andPredrag Samardžiski were released, Rytas signedMilt Palacio,Tomislav Zubčić andPatrick O'Bryant. The rookies were not much help, however, and Rytas still missed the VTB playoffs, with Donetsk defeating Rytas in the deciding game. Coach Maskoliūnas was fired and replaced byDirk Bauermann. Rytas began to play much better, and in April scored an away win over Žalgiris Kaunas—the first in almost two years. Rytas made the LKL finals for the 15th time in a row. However, Žalgiris Kaunas easily swept Lietuvos rytas 4–0 in the final.
Due to the unsuccessful past season, the manager decided to almost completely rebuild the team: eight players left after the team lost the LKL finals to Žalgiris Kaunas, its rival. Former team leaderMartynas Gecevičius was recalled after a two-season break and point guardOmar Cook was signed[16] alongsideDarius Songaila.[17] This time, Rytas was successful—it won three games in a row and qualified for the EuroLeague.[18] The season ended as the worst for Lietuvos rytas ever in the EuroLeague - a disappointing 1–9 record. After this, coach Dirk Bauermann was fired and replaced byAleksandar Petrović.[19] The change helped and on 22 December, Rytas crushed its rival Žalgiris Kaunas 90–58.[20] After being eliminated in the EuroCup playoffs byCrvena zvezda Belgrade, Lietuvos rytas also suffered a defeat in the LKF Cup finals - losing toTonyBet Prienai 92–91. This led to the firing of coach Aleksandar Petrović, who was replaced byDainius Adomaitis.
In the LKL playoffs, Lietuvos rytas did not qualify to the LKL Finals for the second time in club history; Žalgiris won the series 2–1.[21] The disastrous season continued for Rytas in the VTB playoffs, where they lost a chance to play in the 2014–15 EuroLeague season. This was the team's worst season since 1998–99.
Renaldas Seibutis, Omar Cook and Darius Songaila left the team. Also, the team played most of its games in the newly reconstructedLietuvos rytas Arena instead of theSiemens Arena. Rytas also withdrew from the Russian VTB League.Virginijus Šeškus was signed as head coach.[22] LithuanianAdas Juškevičius and former NBA playerTravis Leslie were signed as well. Rytas finished the first EuroCup round with an 8–2 record and took first place in the group. Although they defeatedTurów Zgorzelec,[23] Rytas only barely qualified for the next stage. Due to the questionable shape of the team, Virginijus Šeškus was fired as head coach.[24] In the2015 LKF Cup, they defeatedDzūkija Alytus andŠiauliai, but lost to Žalgiris Kaunas 82–76 at the finals.[25] They then lostfirst game of theEuroCup playoffs againstPınar Karşıyaka after a decider.[26][27] In LKL, Rytas entered the playoffs as the second seed team. They defeated Šiauliai and then Neptūnas 3–1, qualifying for the LKL Finals after a one-year break.[28] However, they decisively lost to Žalgiris Kaunas in the final.[29][30]
"I don't know how they got this information, but they tried to lure me. <...> Vilnius. Family. Challenge. Beloved team. BC Lietuvos rytas had more levers at his side."
Because the move to the 2,500-seat arena during the primary games was a failure,[33] the club started playing many of their games at the Siemens Arena following an agreement with the arena which lasted until 2020.[34][35]Billy Baron, Mike Moser, and Travis Leslie left, butMarcelo Nicola remained as the head coach.[36]
Due to the team's losing record at the start of the2015–16 EuroCup season Marcelo Nicola was fired. After a series of poor results under Aurimas Jasilionis, he too was replaced by Arvydas Gronskis, but Rytas did not qualify for the Last-32 stage. Tomas Pačėsas became the team's new head coach.[37] On 17 January, Rytas achieved the season's first victory versus Žalgiris Kaunas 78–72.[38] On 19–21 February, Rytas competed in the newly formedKaraliaus Mindaugo taurė tournament. After defeatingLietkabelis Panevėžys in the quarterfinals 88–82, Neptūnas Klaipėda in the semifinals 97–79, and Žalgiris Kaunas in the final 67–57, the team won their first trophy following a five-season drought.[39] The rest of the season, however, was a disaster. Rytas lost the first place in the LKL regular season to Žalgiris. After defeating Lietkabelis Panevėžys in the quarterfinal stage, Rytas lost the semifinal series to Neptūnas 3–2, the worst fiasco in club history.[40] This was also the first time Rytas was eliminated in the LKL by another team, instead of Žalgiris Kaunas. The disappointing season ended with the team winning the LKL bronze medal series 3–0 versus theJuventus Utena.[41]
During the summer, team captain Kavaliauskas had a dispute with the team management concerning his pay, after which he signed with Žalgiris Kaunas.[42] Lietuvos rytas qualified for the EuroCup Top 16 phase with a 3–5 record. After failing to progress into the EuroCup Playoffs, the club announced addition of guardJimmy Baron from local rivals Neptūnas Klaipėda.[43][44] On 10 February, Tomas Pačėsas was replaced byRimas Kurtinaitis, who had coached Rytas to most of its titles previously.[45]
Under coach Kurtinaitis, Rytas defeated Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys in the quarterfinals 3–0, but lost to Lietkabelis 1–3 in the semifinals.[46] This fiasco meant that Rytas did not qualify for the LKL finals for the second time in a row for the first time in the team's history. Rytas won their final game against Neptūnas Klaipėda 74–66 to take the bronze medal series 3–2, ending the season with a more positive note and avenging their 2016 loss to Neptūnas.[47] The season ended with an international scandal for the team, however, as club president Gedvydas Vainauskas made a controversial statement about black players on the team, drawing negative attention to the team from around the world.[48]
On 19 June 2017, famouspoker player, businessman andEuropean Parliament memberAntanas Guoga bought fifty percent of the club from Sigitas Židonis and Remigijus Kazilionis.[49][50][51] Two remaining stake owners Darius Gudelis andVilnius City Municipality retained their rights to the club (twenty-five percent each).[52] On 20 June Gedvydas Vainauskas resigned as president of Rytas a position he held since the founding of the club in 1997, just a week after receiving an award fromLKL president Remigijus Milašius for his contributions to basketball.[53][54]
Shortly after becoming the new owner of the club, Guoga sparked discussions about changing the club's name and invited the public to offer their ideas since the team no longer had connections with the Vainauskas' newspaper Lietuvos rytas.[55] The idea was sharply criticised by the club's elite fans, group B Tribūna (Rytas Ultras), who said the only team they would support is black-white-red Rytas.[56][57] On 21 June, the new owners organised a meeting, during which the first changes were announced. The public institution Krepšinio rytas was renamed to Statyba to honour the historical Statyba Vilnius, Darius Gudelis replacedMartynas Purlys as the club's director, and it was decided that the club's name Lietuvos rytas would be changed within a year with the most likely, but not yet final, choice being Rytas.[58][59] Guoga also told the media it was very likely that at least two Lithuanian basketball stars will participate on the team, in addition to Jonas Valančiūnas,Linas Kleiza and Arvydas Macijauskas.[60] On 4 July, Gudelis announced that former assistant coachAlberto Blanco and Linas Kleiza were joining the club. Their first task was to assist Rimas Kurtinaitis to bring together a new team roster.[61]
On 13 July, a press conference was held during which it was announced that Kleiza had also become a shareholder of the club buying part of the Guoga's stake. He was named vice-president of the club and would act as sports director.[62][63][64] Limited liability companyNorvelita and Perlas also became shareholders of the club.[65]
Despite positive changes in the club, rifts between the new owners started to emerge after it announced a sponsorship agreement with Lithuanian business consortiumMG Baltic.[66] Club president Antanas Guoga condemned the partnership and demanded an annulment of it and the resignation of CEO Darius Gudelis.[67] Despite his wishes the other shareholders decided against these actions and openly questioned Guoga's financial commitment to the club.[68] Finally on 24 October, the club announced that Guoga had sold his share in the club to Gudelis and had written off €300,000 that he had previously loaned the club.[69] On 9 October 2018, however, it was revealed Guoga was still the team's president. Gudelis resigned on 15 November, after a controversy involving Blanco. Executive director Julius Serapinas was named as his replacement. On 7 June 2019, Serapinas was replaced by former Rytas playerRolandas Jarutis.[70] Kleiza left the team in February 2020, after a falling out with Jarutis.
On 14 June 2017, it was announced that Rytas had received a wild card to the2017–18 EuroCup season.[71] On 17 June, Rytas signed with first addition to the club for the upcoming season, former Lietkabelis leaderBen Madgen.[72]
Rimas Kurtinaitis remained as head coach.[73] On 11 July, famous Lithuanian masseurJuozas Petkevičius returned to the team.[74] After launching ticket sales for the upcoming season, the team has sold 1,800 season tickets in less than 24 hours.[75] On 19 July, Rytas signed veteran Mindaugas Lukauskis for his ninth season as a club member.[76]
On the following day,Travis Peterson was signed and Kurtinaitis also confirmed that the team had reached an agreement withChris Kramer.[77][78] On 22 July, Chris Kramer andMarc Antonio Carter officially joined the team.[79] On 28 July,Mindaugas Brazys joined the coaching staff.[80] On 17 August, notable Lithuanian youth national team memberMartynas Echodas was signed to a three-year deal.[81] The newly formed team showed positive results during the preparation games, winning all seven games and theVladas Garastas Cup.[82]
On 23 September, Rytas began the2017–18 LKL season by defeating Juventus Utena 82–75.[83] On 25 September, Rytas signed experienced veteranLoukas Mavrokefalidis.[84] Due to Artūras Gudaitis' departure to the Olimpia Milano, he was replaced byEgidijus Mockevičius, who signed a three-year deal with the team on 30 September. However, Mockevičius was unable to play due to injury.[85] In the LKL regular season, Rytas played its best season since 2015.
Wins over rivals Neptūnas Klaipėda and Lietkabelis Panevėžys helped Rytas reach second place in the standings, behind Žalgiris Kaunas, with whom Rytas tied in the regular season series. In the LKL playoffs, Rytas defeated Juventus Utena 3–0 in the quarterfinals. Having signed Neptūnas leaders Girdžiūnas and Butkevičius, Rytas became the most hated team in Klaipėda, and the rivalry between the two teams intensified. Rytas tied the season series with Neptūnas 2–2 in the regular season, with a win in Klaipėda in April 90–72, the first since the 2016 season. This helped Rytas secure second place in the standings. The two teams faced off in the LKL semifinals. In the first game in Vilnius, Rytas lost to Neptūnas 83–74. In the second game in Klaipėda, Rytas avenged the loss winning 67–49 and tying the series at 1–1. Rytas then won the third game at home, 74–67, to take a 2–1 series lead. In Klaipėda, with a chance to close out the series in the fourth game, Rytas took a 16-point lead in the first quarter. Neptūnas, however, came back and took the lead in the fourth quarter winning the game 74–70, and forcing the deciding match in Vilnius by tying the series 2–2. In the deciding fifth game Rytas defeated Neptūnas 88–82, winning the series 3–2. The win marked the first trip to the LKL finals since 2015. In the LKL finals, Rytas faced Žalgiris Kaunas, playing the best season since 1999 and coming off a third-place finish in the Euroleague. Rytas lost the first game, 96–83, in Kaunas. In the second game, Rytas won 82–73 in Vilnius, led by Mavrokefalidis scoring 22 points and Ben Madgen with 19, and tied the series at 1–1. This win marked the first win by Rytas in the LKL finals since 2011. In Kaunas, Žalgiris Kaunas won the game 90–80 and took a 2–1 series lead. Back in Vilnius, Rytas led for much of the first half but lost 82–78, with Žalgiris Kaunas taking a commanding 3–1 series lead. With one last chance, Rytas fought hard in the fifth game in Kaunas, but a strong fourth quarter by Žalgiris Kaunas led to an 80–70 win, and winning the series 4–1. In the2018 Karaliaus Mindaugo taurė, Rytas avenged their previous season defeat against Juventus Utena, winning in overtime 91–88 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, held in Klaipėda, Rytas defeated Dzūkija Alytus 81–61. In the finals, Rytas faced rival Žalgiris Kaunas, who were having a successful season in the Euroleague. Coming off two wins against Žalgiris Kaunas in the LKL, Rytas lead in the first half, before Žalgiris Kaunas recovered in the second, dominating the game and beating Rytas 81–62 in the finals.[15]
In the2017–18 EuroCup Basketball season, Rytas lost at home toBilbao Basket 93–83 in the opener. The next week, Rytas won their first game by defeating Partizan Belgrade 91–80 in Belgrade thanks to the efforts of Week MVP Rokas Giedraitis, who scored 28 points, and Loukas Mavrokefalidis, 26 points. An injury to Chris Kramer hurt the team. Rytas then lost a home game to PBC Lokomotiv Kuban 93–85 in overtime, as well as an away game toAlba Berlin 93–86. The team faced a lot of criticism for poor defence. With Kramer back in the lineup, Rytas defeatedLimoges CSP at home, 92–76. The second round of the Eurocup was a huge success for Rytas. In Bilbao, Rytas avenged their loss by defeating Bilbao Basket 96–79 led by Chris Kramer, who scored 27 points, and became the Week MVP. A home win against Partizan Belgrade followed, 93–75. Rytas lost to Lokomotiv Kuban 77–68 in an away game.[86]
Many changes occurred to the team at the same time. Marc Antonio Carter and power forwardRobert Carter were released, and replaced byMindaugas Girdžiūnas andArnas Butkevičius, leaders from rivals Neptūnas Klaipėda, and Egidijus Mockevičius returned from injury. These changes helped, as Rytas won the most important game in the regular season, by defeating Alba Berlin 94–73 and avenging their first round loss. The win also helped Rytas qualify for the EuroCup Top 16. In the last game of the regular season, Rytas defeated Limoges CSP 71–69 in an away game, finishing second in the group C. In the Top 16, Rytas started by losing toB.C. Zenit Saint Petersburg at home, 98–96. After losing two more away games toBayern Munich 81–68 andFiat Torino 83–77, Rytas fell to an 0–3 record, its worst start in club history. A strong game by Martynas Echodas, who became the Week MVP, helped Rytas win against Fiat Torino 101–68 at home. During the same game, however, Arnas Butkevičius suffered a broken hand, and was out for about five weeks. In the most important game of the EuroCup season for Rytas, they fell to Zenit 113–100 in an away game, losing any chance to qualify for the EuroCup playoffs. Coach Kurtinaitis and the team faced heavy criticism for the poor defence. In the final home game in the EuroCup, Rytas lost to Bayern Munich 87–85, another poor defensive showing, and finished with a 1–5 record and last place in Top 16 group F.[86]
"I want to underline that this team is special. I began professionally playing basketball when I was seventeen, I have won the Croatian championship and cup twice. I played in the Italian final, however this team is something different. I have to begin from the coach – he gives us directions, but you need to have 12 soldiers, pit bulls who would follow these. These guys are special and deserve the victory."
The preparation for the season began in June, during the semifinal series, with controversial rumors that Lithuanian national basketball team, and former Rytas head coach Dainius Adomaitis would replace coach Kurtinaitis at the end of the season. While the team denied the rumors, after losing the LKL finals to Žalgiris Kaunas, Adomaitis was named the team's new head coach. Former Rytas players, and current members of the national team,Eimantas Bendžius andEvaldas Kairys, were the first additions, signing in July.Dominique Sutton, formerly ofDolomiti Energia Trento, and one of the best players in both the Italian league and the Eurocup, signed in August.D. J. Seeley replaced Rokas Giedraitis, who left to sign with Alba Berlin. Rytas also signed point guardMatt Farrell, scoring leader from theUniversity of Notre Dame, but he was released just before the season for reported personal reasons. Talented young playersDeividas Sirvydis andMarek Blaževič were signed to long-term deals.Norbertas Giga, former member of the Rytas system, returned in October. Kramer, who resigned in the summer, was named the new team captain.
Rytas won the first game of the season, beating Juventus Utena, 87–57, in the start of the LKL. During the season, Rytas struggled against rivalsŽalgiris,Lietkabelis andNeptūnas, which led to Rytas finishing third in the regular season with a 26–10 record, worst regular season finish in club history. Rytas facedJuventus in the quarterfinals, winning the series in 2–1. In the semifinals, Rytas faced Neptūnas who, for the first time, had home court advantage, defeating them shockingly easily 2–0 and advancing to the LKL Finals. In the LKL Finals, Žalgiris easily swept Rytas 3–0.[15]
In the2018–19 EuroCup Basketball season, Rytas played in group D, and struggled against top teams in the group, such asUnicaja Malaga,UNICS Kazan andFraport Skyliners, but wins overKK Mornar andFiat Torino helped Rytas qualify for the Top 16 stage with a 5–5 record. Seeley, Sutton (who was released in February) and Bendžius were the team leaders.Martynas Echodas was named theEuroCup Basketball Rising Star. In the Top 16 stage, now joined by Stipčević andArtsiom Parakhouski, Rytas struggled againstAlba Berlin, which was led by former Rytas playerRokas Giedraitis, but wins overKK Partizan andAS Monaco helped them qualify for the EuroCup playoffs for the first time since 2015. Rytas facedValencia Basket, losing the series 2–0 and being eliminated from the EuroCup.[88]
During the 2018–19 season, Rytas won theKing Mindaugas Cup. After eliminating Juventus Utena in the Quarterfinals, they eliminated Neptūnas Klaipėda in the semifinals 86–72 and then defeated Žalgiris Kaunas in the Final 70–67.[89][90] After a season-ending injury to Kramer, Rytas signedDerek Needham to fill the point guard spot.
During the off-season, Parakhouski, Seeley, Needham, Kramer, Stipčević, Giga, Normantas, Piliauskas all departed from the team.Rolandas Jarutis, former Rytas player, was named the new team manager. Under Jarutis, Rytas started adding more players from developmental teamPerlas-MRU, likeAugustas Marčiulionis, son of legendary basketball playerŠarūnas Marčiulionis,Simas Jarumbauskas,Einaras Tubutis,Ąžuolas Tubelis andMarek Blaževič, who already had played in the previous seasons, but also played in the NKL for Perlas.Karolis Giedraitis, son of former Rytas playerAndrius Giedraitis, also earned a spot on the team. Deividas Sirvydis, drafted in the2019 NBA draft by theDallas Mavericks as the 37th pick, but traded to theDetroit Pistons, remained with the team. Bendžius, Girdžiūnas and most importantly, the improving Butkevičius remained with the team. Butkevičius also debuted for theLithuanian national basketball team in the World Cup. Rytas also signedDovis Bičkauskis from Juventus andTu Holloway as the new point guards. AustralianCameron Bairstow was signed as the new power forward, whileFrancisco Cruz was signed as the new shooting guard.Evaldas Kairys was initially among the players released during the summer, but was re-signed in September. After the season, coach Adomaitis remained with Rytas.
The preparation for the season began in August. Rytas largely struggled in pre-season matches. Rytas started the2019–20 LKL season with a five-game winning streak. The win streak was snapped by Žalgiris Kaunas. Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the LKL season ended prematurely - Žalgiris were announced as the winners, while Rytas finished second - one win over third-placed Lietkabelis Panevėžys. In theKing Mindaugas Cup tournament, Rytas reached the finals, but was defeated by Žalgiris.[15]
In the2019–20 EuroCup Basketball season, Rytas played in Group B, withUmana Reyer Venezia,Partizan NIS,Tofaş,Lokomotiv Kuban andLimoges CSP. Wins over Lokomotiv Kuban and Tofaş helped Rytas qualify for the Top 16, with a 4–6 record, also eliminating the powerful Lokomotiv team, from the competition. Bendžius, Butkevičius and Cruz lead the team. In the Top 16 competition, Rytas playedUNICS Kazan,AS Monaco andGalatasaray. Losses against AS Monaco and UNICS eliminated Rytas from playoff contention. Rytas finished with a 3–3 record, and third place in the standings.[91] The season was later cancelled. During the season, Rytas gave much of the younger players playing time, with Blaževič in particular having a breakout season with Rytas, both in the LKL and the EuroCup.
Rytas faced with the 2020–21 season with drastically reduced budget as the club had to pay off debts, despite the fact that the debt from June 2017 decreased from 4,040,000 Eur to 2,140,000 Eur, and fired team manager Jarutis.[92] Therefore, the club decided to choose theBasketball Champions League instead of theEuroCup due to a much more beneficial financial offer and returned to aFIBA competition for the first time since the 2002–03 season.[93] Rytas sold its young talentsDeividas Sirvydis andMarek Blaževič for buyouts, with Marek in particular being a painful departure, as he left Rytas for Žalgiris. CaptainEimantas Bendžius left the club due to financial reasons, howeverMartynas Echodas and the new captainArnas Butkevičius stayed in the team.Donaldas Kairys replacedDainius Adomaitis in the head coach position. Also, Rytas signed with a formerEuroLeague starAndrew Goudelock,Demetrius Jackson, who proved to be a pleasant surprise,Chris McCullough, and LithuaniansSaulius Kulvietis,Rokas Gustys,Gytis Radzevičius,Lukas Uleckas,Augustas Marčiulionis. Due to health reasons, contract with Kulvietis was terminated and he was replaced byKristjan Kitsing;Maurice Ndour was also signed in October.[94]
The season initially started strong for Rytas – at the start of the LKL, Rytas smashedBC Juventus in the opener 106–77, and went on a six-game win streak, thanks to great play from Goudelock and point guard Jackson. The win streak was stopped by Žalgiris Kaunas, who beat Rytas in Vilnius. Problems arose within Rytas, starting with Jackson shockingly leaving Rytas just days after their2020–21 Basketball Champions League debut for personal reasons. McCullough had a number of off-court issues, ending with Rytas releasing him in November. Injuries, losses, reported and rumored conflicts between coach Kairys and Rytas players, poor player selection, withRyan Boatright, replacing Jackson, and centerKeith Benson becoming huge failures for Rytas, and by January, Rytas had completely fallen apart – Rytas ended their Champions League campaign after the group stage with a 2–4 record – a huge disappointment for the team. The problems continued – Ndour, one of the few bright spots for Rytas for the season, left Rytas after the exit in the Champions League. Rytas also suffered multiple upset losses in the LKL and in theKing Mindaugas Cup, suffered the biggest fiasco of the season, losing to Juventus in the quarter-finals, including an embarrassing 27 point defeat at home. The loss proved to be the final game for coach Kairys, as he was fired immediately after the game, and was replaced by his assistantGiedrius Žibėnas. Rytas also made a few more changes to the roster, releasing Boatright and Benson soon after the firing of Kairys, and signingIvan Buva as the new center.
To the surprise of everyone, under Žibėnas, Rytas made an incredible comeback, winning their next 16 out of 17 games in the LKL, including an away win over Žalgiris in Kaunas – their first win over Žalgiris since February 2019, thanks to an incredible by Ivan Buva, and rose up the standings in the LKL by the end of the regular season, finishing in second place after Žalgiris. In the LKL playoffs, Rytas swept bothBC Šiauliai and Eurocup teamLietkabelis Panevėžys to make the LKL finals. In the finals, Žalgiris swept Rytas 3–0. Many Rytas fans nonetheless largely considered the end of the season a success. After the season, coach Žibėnas signed an extension with the club to continue as head coach for the following season, for his great efforts in bringing Rytas back during the season.
During the off-season, much of the roster departed the team. Rytas signed players like the returningMargiris Normantas,Vaidas Kariniauskas,Jarvis Williams,Kenneth Smith andTanner Leissner to strengthen the roster, while also keeping players like Buva, Butkevičius, Uleckas and Radzevičius, all among leaders of the previous season with the team. Coach Žibėnas remained as head coach of Rytas.
While Rytas initially had struggles, soon enough, Rytas started showing some potential. Injuries to Williams and Leissner lead to the brief return ofMaurice Ndour. Rytas had a long win streak in both the LKL, and theBasketball Champions League. In the Champions League, Rytas finished 1st in the regular season, in a group that includedEWE Baskets Oldenburg,Beşiktaş Icrypex and defending two-time champions of the tournamentHereda San Pablo Burgos, with Rytas getting memorable wins over Burgos both away, and at home, and finishing with a 4–2 record. In the LKL, Rytas had overtakenŽalgiris Kaunas in the standings, leading for much of the season. High hopes, nonetheless, once again hit some road blocks by January–March - the win streak ended with a close home loss to Žalgiris, who took first place in the LKL regular season, and Rytas struggled in the Champions League Round of 16 stage, falling behindLenovo Tenerife, andSIG Strasbourg, finishing just out of the playoffs due to a point difference with SIG Strasbourg.
In theKing Mindaugas Cup, held in Vilnius, Rytas was believed to be a favorite heading in - however, a shock loss toLietkabelis Panevėžys in the semifinals left Rytas without the finals for the second consecutive season. Rytas won the bronze medal game againstBC Šiauliai, also in a struggle. Žalgiris went on to win the tournament. During this time, Ndour once again left Rytas, and he was eventually replaced by former Rytas playerEvaldas Kairys, who returned to the team.
With the LKL remaining, by April, Rytas had once again found their game. Led by LKL MVP Buva, Rytas once again regained the LKL regular season leading position, by beating Žalgiris, and for the first time since 2013–14, Rytas finished in first place in the LKL standings and earned homecourt advantage for the playoffs. Great play by the improving Radzevičius, Uleckas, captain Butkevičius, Smith and the returning Jarvis Williams became the key for success. Players like Margiris Normantas were also praised for their efforts.
"I wanted this year'schebra (squad) to end the season victoriously. Getting over each other's heads benefits the team. Most importantly, it wouldn't have been useful if at the end of the season we hadn't realized that eventually we need to give in to something, accept our role, so that everyone is useful for the team and not for themselves. When we realized this, we became very strong. Of course, we didn't avoid mistakes, we didn't avoid bad decisions, but then we became a real team."
In the LKL playoffs, Rytas had struggles - in the quarterfinals, Rytas defeatedBC Dzūkija 3–1 in the quarterfinals, andBC Šiauliai 3–1 in the semifinals. Rytas would struggle early, but by the deciding games, would win in dominating fashion.
In the LKL finals, Rytas would face a surprising opponent in Lietkabelis Panevėžys, who had eliminated the defending champions Žalgiris in the semifinals - Žalgiris had won the previous 11 consecutive LKL championships, and had been the most hated team among Rytas fans. While not getting a chance for revenge against Žalgiris for all the years of loses, Rytas had become the favorite of the LKL finals for the first time in a very long time. In the LKL finals start, however, Rytas lost to Lietkabelis 77–68 at home, losing their homecourt advantage. Rytas, having to respond, responded in dominating fashion by winning the next two games 88–66 in Panevėžys, and 85–63 in Vilnius, in a very controversial game which included Lietkabelis head coachNenand Čanak shoving Rytas head coach Žibėnas and even getting into an argument with Rytas director Darius Gudelis. In a much hyped game in Panevėžys, facing a deficit, Rytas managed to pull a win over Lietkabelis 78–77, on a dunk in the deciding seconds from Butkevičius, and took a 3–1 lead in the LKL finals. On June 7, 2022, Rytas had finally prevailed - beating Lietkabelis 79–76, Rytas won the series 4–1. For the first time since 2010, Rytas had regained the LKL championship.[96]
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Over the summer, much of the LKL championship winning team departed. Buva, Smith, Leissner, Girdžiūnas, Kariniauskas all departed. The most painful of the departures, was captain Arnas Butkevičius signing with hated rivalsŽalgiris Kaunas. Rytas first signed the returningMartynas Echodas to replace the departing Ivan Buva. Rytas signed former Žalgiris playerGytis Masiulis to replace Leissner, whileTodd Withers was signed to replace Butkevičius.Benedek Váradi and former LKL MVP with BC ŠiauliaiElvar Már Friðriksson were signed as the new point guards to replace Kariniauskas and Smith. Rytas also signedMarcus Foster at guard. Rytas also re-signed Radzevičius and Uleckas to new contracts, and kept Normantas, Williams and Evaldas Kairys with the team. Coach Giedrius Žibėnas also remained with the team. During the pre-season, Marcus Foster lead Rytas in scoring. Rytas also signedTomas Lekūnas to a short-term deal, as Withers had not arrived by the start of the season for personal reasons. Lekūnas later signed a deal for the rest of the season, while Withers had officially left the team. By March, Rytas had signed point guardKendale McCullum, power forwardJustin Gorham and centerJaime Echenique, with all three playing a big part in Rytas deep run in the LKL playoffs.
Rytas started the LKL season winning a close game against region rival Juventus 90–88. They continued the good start by winning two more games, but an unexpected defeat to Nevėžis at home on the fourth game completely shocked the team. They lost their next two games to CBet Jonava and Lietkabelis Panevežys, finding themselves with a disappointing 3–3 record to start. Rytas recovered, going on a seven-game win streak, which included a win over new rivals,BC Wolves, 91–89 away, and against long-time rivals Žalgiris, 89–85 at home, in a game where Foster scored 34 points and famously waved off the Žalgiris fans. The rivalry with the Wolves largely started due to the fact that the Wolves became the new team in Vilnius, and the games between both teams became very heated as the Wolves became one of the most hated teams among Rytas fans and many former Rytas players, like Lukauskis, joined the team, as well as being coached by long-time Rytas coach Rimas Kurtinaitis. Wolves snapped Rytas win streak in the LKL, with a 88–76 win over Rytas in Vilnius. Rytas rebounded, winning the next 11 out of 12 games in the LKL, and scoring an amazing win over Žalgiris in Kaunas, 100–94, with Normantas scoring 30 points and Foster scoring 28 points, renewing a rivalry with Žalgiris and a fight for first place in the LKL. Žalgiris, however, won the final game of the regular season between the teams, 81–75, a win that guaranteed Žalgiris first place in the LKL regular season over Rytas. Rytas finished by winning their last 6 games, including a win in Vilnius over Wolves, 102–98, with a 27–6 record. In the LKL playoffs, in the quarterfinals, Rytas faced old rivalsBC Neptūnas, winning a very tough series 2–0, beating Neptūnas both at home in overtime, 107–99, and away, 95–91. In the semifinals, while many fans expected a Rytas–Wolves matchup, in an unexpected twist, Rytas faced CBet Jonava, who had swept the Wolves in the quarterfinals, was a surprise team of the season, and had already shocked Rytas in the King Mindaugas Cup semifinals. This time, Rytas gained revenge by beating CBet 82–74 at home, 82–67 in Jonava, and 90–85 at home, to sweep the series for a 3–0 win for Rytas. In the LKL finals, Rytas faced off against Žalgiris. In the first game, Žalgiris beat Rytas 108–93 at home to take the lead. In the second game, Rytas got revenge, while a tight game by halftime, Rytas had a very strong second half, leading to a dominating 94–71 win in the Jeep Arena in Vilnius, tying the series 1–1. Žalgiris won the next game 95–80 in Žalgiris Arena, to once again lead the series over Rytas. The fourth game became a classic – Žalgiris led much of the way, including double digits, looking to finish the series – Rytas, however, kept coming back, backed up by a packed Jeep Arena. In the deciding minutes, Rytas made one final comeback, and Marcus Foster won the game for Rytas with a deciding layup, 69–68, tying the series at 2–2. In the deciding game, in a packed Žalgiris Arena, Rytas led much of the game, including in the final minutes, before Žalgiris made a run led byIsaiah Taylor and former Rytas captain Butkevičius winning the game 97–87, and the series 3–2, to regain the LKL title. While defeated, Rytas earned much praise, both from Rytas fans and experts, for giving the best fight they could against a Žalgiris team that reached the Euroleague playoffs.
Rytas lost toNevėžis-OPTIBET inKing Mindaugas Cup qualifiers in their first game, 78–70, having to win at least by nine points their second match in Vilnius to advance to the Final Four tournament, held in Šiauliai. In the second game, after regulation, Rytas had led Nevėžis-OPTIBET 81–73, necessitating overtime. In overtime, the much stronger Rytas made short work of Nevėžis-OPTIBET, winning 98–78 to qualify for the semifinals. One of the main favorites to win the tournament, along with Žalgiris, Rytas was expected to beatCBet Jonava in the semifinals. However, just like the previous season, history repeated itself. Rytas played poorly while CBet played one of the best games of the season, and CBet beat Rytas 92–86 in the semifinals in one of the biggest shocks in tournament history. For the third consecutive season, Rytas was eliminated in the King Mindaugas Cup semifinals. In the bronze medal game, Rytas, while erasing a huge deficit, could not defeatBC Lietkabelis, losing the game 91–88 and finishing in a disappointing fourth place. Žalgiris went on to win the tournament.
Rytas started their FIBA Champions League campaign slowly, losing the first two away games of the tournament to the defending championsLenovo Tenerife 89–74 and then following it up with a loss againstBnei Herzliya 90–85. In following games, they crushedPeristeri B.C., coached by legendary playerVassilis Spanoulis, 89–64 on their home debut, and beat them again 82–71 in Athens. Marcus Foster, for his strong performances, earned the MVP of November honors. With a 2–2 record, Rytas had a chance to qualify to the playoffs directly, however, Rytas lost to Bnei Herzliya at home, 101–90, dropping to 2–3. In the final game of the regular season, Rytas faced Lenovo Tenerife at home-, winning the game 85–78, and finished in second place in the group with a 3–3 record. While not being able to directly qualify to the Round of 16 phase, Rytas faced offPAOK in the tournament's play-in where they beat PAOK at home 85–62. PAOK tied the series with an 81–78 win over Rytas in Thessaloniki. In the deciding game, at home, Rytas once again dominated and won 82–63 over PAOK, winning the series 2–1 and qualifying to the Round of 16. In the deciding game for Rytas in the Champions League, they were defeated in an away game 82–69 byBaxi Manresa. Foster continued his string of strong performances. Rytas beatBahçeşehir Koleji at home, 95–88, and then faced one of the tournament favorites,Telekom Baskets Bonn, at both home and away. While Rytas came back after erasing a huge deficit in a home game, losing 86–79, they lost 99–72 in Bonn, with Rytas dropping 1–3. Rytas, still having a shot at the playoffs, earned a 92–69 away win against Bahçeşehir. With a 2–3 record, Rytas faced Baxi Manresa at home needing to win the game by 14 points to qualify for the playoffs. Baxi lead most of the game, but by the second half, Rytas had recovered and in the fourth quarter, took a 14-point lead over Baxi. Despite Rytas managed to win the game 96–95, Baxi qualified for the playoffs since both Rytas and Baxi finished with a 3–3 record, but a win by Baxi in the first game by 13 points led to Baxi's qualifiaction. Foster finished the tournament as the top scorer.
During the summer, McCullum, Fridriksson, Kairys, Lekūnas, Varadi, Echenique, and most importantly, team leader Marcus Foster all left the team, while Rytas re-signed team captain Normantas,Justin Gorham, Gytis Radzevičius and Martynas Echodas to new contracts during the summer. Coach Žibėnas was re-signed during the previous season. Rytas also signed new point guardsArnas Velička andR.J. Cole, centerJavin DeLaurier and power forwardOskaras Pleikys to contracts.Keith Hornsby was initially signed as a replacement for Marcus Foster. Rytas also returned to play some home games in theAvia Solutions Group Arena, an arena now shared with inner-city rivalsWolves Vilnius.
During theBasketball Champions League season, Rytas started the season with a 0-2 record, withJDA Dijon, 87-83, andPromitheas Patras, 78-76, defeating Rytas in two away games. Rytas recovered with two dominating wins overBK Opava at home 99-63, and 95-75 away, and won home rematches against Promitheas, 77-75, and JDA Dijon, 79-77, to finish the regular season with a 4-2 record and one win behind group winners JDA Dijon, thus forced to fight for a spot in the Round of 16 in the Play-in tournament. Echodas, Normantas and Radzevičius lead the team in scoring during the regular season. Before the Play-in tournament,Marcus Foster returned to Rytas, replacing Hornsby. In the Play-in tournament, Rytas were heavy favorites againstPeristeri Athens - the previous season, Rytas had easily beat Peristeri in the competition. Led by a more experienced Vassilis Spanoulis, however, Peristeri was not the same team as the previous season - Peristeri crushed Rytas in Vilnius, 110-92, and beat Rytas 83-80 at home in Athens, beating Rytas 2-0 and shockingly eliminating Rytas from the competition. While Marcus Foster provided a spark for Rytas, he was not able to save Rytas from the elimination.
In theKing Mindaugas Cup, Rytas easily beat long-time rivalsBC Juventus 98-86 and 104-67 in the quarterfinals. In the Final Four, held in Kaunas, once again, even with the addition of the returning Marcus Foster, Rytas failed - in the semifinals,7bet-Lietkabelis, in a rematch of the previous two tournament semifinal and bronze medal games, once again beat Rytas, 94-86, in the semifinals - with Rytas missing another chance to return to the KMT finals. In the bronze medal game, Rytas beatBC Šiauliai, 94-89, in another hard-fought game to win the bronze medals. Žalgiris went on to win the tournament.
In the LKL, for most of the season, Rytas fought for first place in the standings, againstŽalgiris Kaunas and against the Wolves, the latter of whom Rytas fought against for the title of the best team in Vilnius. Rytas won the regular season series against the Wolves, but were swept by Žalgiris, thus finishing behind Žalgiris in the regular season standings, at second place. In the games against the Wolves, much of the fan-support was behind Rytas. Fueled by the return of Marcus Foster, Rytas entered the playoffs fighting for at least a spot in the LKL finals- in the quarterfinals, Rytas beatCBet Jonava 110-77 at home, and 96-90 away, to win the series 2-0, and to set up a LKL semifinals clash against the Wolves, for the battle of Vilnius, as titled by both the players for each team, and the press. Homecourt advantage belonged to Rytas, but with each team sharing the Avia Solutions Group Arena court, neither team really had an advantage. Wolves started the series by shocking Rytas with a 96-85 win, taking the lead, before Rytas won the next two games, tainted with incidents by the players and even coach Žibėnas, 113-75 and 86-78. Wolves tied the series with a 97-86 win, to set up the deciding fifth game clash. Led by Foster, heavily supported all series by Rytas fans, Rytas won a hard fought game 92-87 to finish off the Wolves and win the series 3-2, with Rytas returning to the LKL finals. Before the finals, rivals Žalgiris had suffered a huge blow as team leaderKeenan Evans suffered a season ending injury - despite this, Žalgiris was still considered by most as the favorite to win the finals. Rytas had other ideas- in the first game, in Kaunas, Rytas beat the still shocked Žalgiris, by erasing a double digit deficit in the final minutes, in an overtime 89-88 win that took away the homecourt advantage for Žalgiris, with Rytas leading the series 1-0. In the second game, in Vilnius, once again, Žalgiris lead for most of the game, before Normantas and Foster sparked a comeback by Rytas - the game went to overtime, and again, Rytas managed to win, beating Žalgiris 104-94 and taking a 2-0 series lead. Žalgiris beat Rytas in Kaunas, 91-81. The fourth game became a classic - heavily cheered by over 9000 fans in the arena, Rytas would beat Žalgiris on a deciding layup by Foster, who scored 33 points, 88-87, to win the series and the LKL championship 3-1, winning their second championship in two years. The win by Rytas is considered by everyone to be the biggest upset ever in the LKL finals.
Marijonas Mikutavičius, the creator ofde factoLithuania Olympics Team song –Trys Milijonai, also created a special song for the BC Lietuvos rytas team, following its success inLKL and the very first steps in the prestigiousEuroLeague. The song is called "Laikas būti pirmiems" (Time To Be First) and it is widely regarded as the club's anthem.[97] To this day it is still played after club wins or at time-outs during the home games.
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility atFIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
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| Rytas retired numbers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Nat. | Player | Position | Tenure | Ceremony date |
| 7 |  | Arvydas Macijauskas | SG | 1999–2003 | 11 November 2023[98] |
| 13 |  | Chuck Eidson | F /G | 2007–2009 | 18 April 2024[99] |
Total titles: 30
| Domestic | Regional | European | Pre-season |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Statistic | Record | Opponent | Result | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 134 | Alytus | 134–76 | 26 October 2008 | Lietuvos rytas Arena |
| Rebounds | 65 | Prienai-Vytautas | 113–56 | 6 January 2018 | Lietuvos rytas Arena |
| Assists | 37 | Prienai TonyBet | 102–65 | 11 June 2014 | Siemens Arena |
| Steals | 25 | Nevėžis | 92–40 | 11 October 2009 | Lietuvos rytas Arena |
| Blocks | 9 | Olimpas | 81–91 | 29 October 1997 | Ekinsta Sports Hall |
| 2-pointers made | 43 | Sakalai | 112–67 | 9 March 2008 | Lietuvos rytas Arena |
| 2-pointers % | 86.67% | Neptūnas | 132–80 | 13 February 2003 | Lietuvos rytas Sports Arena |
| 3-pointers made | 19 | Juventus | 96–103 | 28 October 2023 | Utena Arena |
| 3-pointers % | 78.57% | Sakalai | 73–91 | 17 September 1999 | Palace of Concerts and Sports |
| Free throws made | 37 | Alita | 110–102 | 5 March 1998 | Ekinsta Sports Hall |
| Free throws % | 100% | Šiauliai | 77–89 | 4 April 2022 | Šiauliai Arena |
Captains[edit]
| Managers[edit]
| Presidents[edit]
|
| Seasons used | Venue | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–2004 | Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports | 4,400 | Since 1971 Statyba started to play in this Palace. After opening Lietuvos rytas arena in 1998, biggest games also was played in this Palace. |
| 1997–1998 | Ekinsta Sports Hall | 1,000 | Used in one season. Hall was opened in 1984 and demolished in 2022. |
| 1998–2004 | Lietuvos rytas Sports Arena (Olimpiečių street) | 2,000 3,500 | At first capacity of 2,000, later expanded to 3,500. |
| 2004–present | Siemens Arena/ | 11,000 | Used for allEuroLeague/EuroCup/VTB games and someLKL games |
| 2004–present | Jeep Arena | 1,700 2,500 | At first capacity of 1,700, later expanded to 2,500 Used for mostLKL games and practices. |
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility atFIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
| Criteria |
|---|
To appear in this section a player must have either:
|
Algimantas Ližaitis1964–1971Rimantas Endrijaitis1965–1975Mykolas Karnišovas1966–1978Juozas Rimkus1966–1973Juras Kaziūnas1967–1973Rimas Girskis1968–1983Eduardas Kairys1968–1978Edmundas Narmontas1970–1985Jonas Kazlauskas1973–1985Algimantas Pavilonis1973–1985Alfredas Vainauskas1979–1990, 1993–1995Šarūnas Marčiulionis1982–1988Romanas Brazdauskis1983–1984, 1986–1988Artūras Karnišovas1987–1990Alvydas Pazdrazdis1989–1992Martynas Purlys1993–1995Dainius Adomaitis1993–1996To appear in this section a player must be either:
Steponas Babrauskas2003–2004,2008–2014Eimantas Bendžius2010–2014,2018-2020Simas Buterlevičius2007–2011,2012–2013Arnas Butkevičius2017–2022Povilas Čukinas2002–2006Tomas Delininkaitis2002–2007Darius Dimavičius1998–1999Deividas Dulkys2012–2013Martynas Echodas2017–2021, 2022–2024Gintaras Einikis2004–2005Deividas Gailius2015–2017Martynas Gecevičius2007–2011, 2013–2015Andrius Giedraitis1998–2001Rokas Giedraitis2015–2018Vidas Ginevičius2009–2010Mindaugas Girdžiūnas2017–2022Artūras Gudaitis2015–2017Simas Jasaitis2001–2006, 2011, 2015Šarūnas Jasikevičius1998–1999, 2010Robertas Javtokas1999–2006Artūras Jomantas2006–2013, 2016–2018Adas Juškevičius2014–2016Evaldas Kairys2006–2007, 2018-2020Rimantas Kaukėnas2001–2002Antanas Kavaliauskas2014–2016Rimas Kurtinaitis1998–1999Kšyštof Lavrinovič2014–2016Mindaugas Lukauskis2003–2009, 2014–2016, 2017–2018Arvydas Macijauskas1999–2003Kęstutis Marčiulionis2001–2002Gediminas Orelik2013–2016Marijonas Petravičius2006–2009Marius Prekevičius2008–2009Renaldas Seibutis2011–2014Deividas Sirvydis 2017-2020Darius Songaila2013–2014Kęstutis Šeštokas2000–2003, 2004–2005Ramūnas Šiškauskas1998–2004Andrius Šležas1997–1998, 1999–2008Jonas Valančiūnas2010–2012Eurelijus Žukauskas2006–2007Marcus Foster2022–2023, 2023–2024Andrew Goudelock2020–2021Demetrius Jackson2020
Omar Cook2013–2014Chuck Eidson2007–2009Khalid El-Amin2010–2011Drew Gordon2016–2017Fred House2004–2006Chris Kramer2017–2019Jimmy Baron2017–2018Travis Leslie2014–2015D. J. Seeley2018-2019
David Logan2016–2017Aaron Lucas2002–2004, 2005Tyrone Nesby2004–2005Hollis Price2007–2008Tyrese Rice2011–2012Lawrence Roberts2011–2012Kareem Rush2006–2007Dickey Simpkins2003–2004
Jackson Vroman2008
Aron Baynes2009–2010Brad Newley2010–2012Matthew Nielsen2005–2008Ben Madgen2017–2018
Kenan Bajramović2007–2008, 2010–2011Haris Mujezinović2004–2006
J. P. Batista2006–2008
Juan Palacios2013–2014
Loukas Mavrokefalidis2017–2018
Jānis Blūms2006–2007, 2012–2013Roberts Štelmahers2004–2008Milko Bjelica2008–2011
Stevan Jelovac2013–2014Nemanja Nedović2012–2013Bojan Popović2009–2010
Artsiom Parakhouski2018–2019
Maurice Ndour2020–2021, 2021–2022
The following head coaches won at least one major trophy when in charge of Rytas:
| Name | Period | Trophies |
|---|---|---|
| Alfredas Vainauskas | 1997–2001 | LKF Cup |
| Šarūnas Sakalauskas | 1998–2001 | Lithuanian Basketball League |
| Jonas Kazlauskas | 2001–2004 | Lithuanian Basketball League North European Basketball League |
 Tomo Mahorič | 2005 | ULEB Cup |
 Neven Spahija | 2005–2006 | Lithuanian Basketball League Baltic Basketball League |
| Aleksandar Trifunović | 2006–2008 2010–2011 | Baltic Basketball League |
| Rimas Kurtinaitis | 2008–2010 2017–2018 | 2×Lithuanian Basketball Leagues 2×LKF Cups Baltic Basketball League EuroCup |
| Tomas Pačėsas | 2016–2017 | King Mindaugas Cup |
| Dainius Adomaitis | 2014, 2018–2020 | King Mindaugas Cup |
| Giedrius Žibėnas | 2021–present | 2xLithuanian Basketball League |
Only players with significant number of games played or points scored.‡
| Position | Nat. | Player | Seasons | Games | Total points | Points per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Ramūnas Šiškauskas | 6 | 75 | 1068 | 14.2 |
| 2 | | Arvydas Macijauskas | 4 | 66 | 978 | 14.8 |
| 3 | | Martynas Gecevičius | 7 | 92 | 875 | 9.5 |
| 4 | | Andrius Šležas | 10 | 141 | 867 | 6.1 |
| 5 | | Robertas Javtokas | 6 | 89 | 855 | 9.6 |
| 6 | | Mindaugas Lukauskis | 9 | 128 | 781 | 6.1 |
| 7 | | Andrius Giedraitis | 3 | 45 | 758 | 16.8 |
| 8 | | Artūras Jomantas | 9 | 120 | 691 | 5.8 |
| 9 | | Renaldas Seibutis | 3 | 44 | 590 | 13.4 |
| 10 | | Simas Jasaitis | 7 | 77 | 575 | 7.5 |
| 11 | | Eric Elliott | 2 | 39 | 573 | 14.7 |
| 12 | | Marijonas Petravičius | 3 | 47 | 523 | 11.1 |
| 13 | | Matthew Nielsen | 3 | 46 | 498 | 10.8 |
| 14 | | Steponas Babrauskas | 7 | 86 | 473 | 5.5 |
| 15 | | Kęstutis Šeštokas | 4 | 58 | 472 | 8.1 |
Last updated: 15 November 2016
| 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors Nominated:
|
Performance Index Rating
Rebounds
Best EuroCup coach of all time |
|
Champions League MVP of the Month
|
Lithuanian Basketball League[edit]
Lithuanian Basketball League[edit]
Slam Dunk Contest Champions
Three-point Shootout Champions
| Baltic Basketball League[edit]Final Four MVP
NEBL[edit]Finals MVP
FIBA[edit]FIBA's 50 Greatest Players (1991)
FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award
|
Lietuvos rytas basketball club was featured in theNBA 2K15 video game.[107]
(in Lithuanian and English)
